Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 98-01-04
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 4, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER TO MEET WITH OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PILOTS
[02] FINANCE MINISTRY TO INTRODUCE NEW FISCAL MEASURES IN 1999
[03] SEVERE WEATHER IMPEDES TRANSPORTATION IN NORTHERN GREECE
[04] CENTRAL GREECE'S FARMERS DECIDE TODAY ON FUTURE MOBILIZATIONS
[05] JOURNALIST ARIS PANTHIMOS DIES FROM CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES
[06] GREEK PEOPLE'S AID TO THE COUNTRY'S JEWISH COMMUNITY
[07] RECORD HIGH IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[08] FOUR-PARTY EFFORT FOR THE FAIR SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE
[09] NATO'S MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IS IN THESSALONIKI
[10] RAGOUTSARIA: THE AUTHENTIC GREEK CARNIVAL OPENS IN KASTORIA
ON THE DAY OF THE EPIPHANY
[11] ARSENIS: SCHOOLS WILL RE-OPEN ON FRIDAY
[12] POSITIVE CLIMATE IN THE MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT MINISTER
WITH THE OA PILOTS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] "EURO" DEBUTS IN EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS TODAY
[14] CABINET RESHUFFLE IN CYPRUS TODAY
[15] GREEK MINOR OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER VISITS CYPRUS TODAY
[16] THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS WORKING IN GREECE GO HOME FOR HOLIDAYS
[17] ALBANIA:MORE MALE STUDENTS ENROLLED, BUT MORE FEMALES
GRADUATE
[18] US SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT MOSCOW ON JANUARY 25
[19] BULGARIA: ACCIDENT PREVENTION PLAN ENFORCED AT KOZLODUI
[20] KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY CREATES NEWS AGENCY, RADIO STATION
[21] TURKEY: EXTENDED PRE-ELECTION PERIOD, EREZ FORMS CABINET
TOMORROW
[22] EDEK'S TWO MINISTERS RESIGNED FROM THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT
[23] TORTURE IN TURKEY IS A DAILY PHENOMENON
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] TRANSPORTATION MINISTER TO MEET WITH OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PILOTS
The Minister of Transportation and Communications Tasos
Mantelis is to hold a pivotal meeting today with the pilots' union
of the national carrier Olympic Airways. The outcome of the
meeting will determine if the flight schedule problems that
occurred during the weekend will continue. The pilots refuse to
work overtime, claiming exhaustion, although the government is
retorting that they are merely reacting to the additional 2.5% tax
imposed on their wages.
[02] FINANCE MINISTRY TO INTRODUCE NEW FISCAL MEASURES IN 1999
Officials from the Ministry of Finance and National Economy
have announced that new fiscal measures are to be taken during the
course of the year.
Among the changes to take place are the implementation of a
"Charter of Citizens' rights", the reduction of tax coefficients,
the replacement of
objective income criteria by the average income of the previous
two years, the upping of the tax-free income ceiling to 2 million
drachmas, the application of an inflation-indexed taxation scale
and the introduction of tax credits for children still dependant
on their parents.
[03] SEVERE WEATHER IMPEDES TRANSPORTATION IN NORTHERN GREECE
A score of transportation problems continue to persist, in
spite of the fact that the weather has eased up in Northern Greece
where transportation on the provincial road network can only be
conducted with anti-skid chains.
With snow fall and thunderstorms striking most of the country
yesterday, the highway patrol took extra measures to ensure the
safety of travelers who are returning home after the holiday
weekend.
[04] CENTRAL GREECE'S FARMERS DECIDE TODAY ON FUTURE MOBILIZATIONS
The farmers of central Greece are to determine today the
course of their imminent mobilizations, as they are expected to
repeat last year's eventful road blockades.
The Panthessaly Coordinating Committee of Farmers is to
convene in the central Greek city of Larisa this evening and is
expected to conduct a city rally on January 15.
[05] JOURNALIST ARIS PANTHIMOS DIES FROM CAR ACCIDENT INJURIES
The Greek journalist Aris Papanthimos died yesterday at the
age of 43, from injuries he sustained during a car accident.
His funeral will be held tomorrow in Athens.
Mr. Papanthimos had worked at the "Rizospastis" daily and
published the weekly "Omonia" whose readership consisted of
Russian-speaking Greeks. He also headed the "Iapetos" publishing
house and the first Russian bookstore in Greece.
[06] GREEK PEOPLE'S AID TO THE COUNTRY'S JEWISH COMMUNITY
A voluminous account of Greece's Jewish community - a
community with roots dating back nearly 3,000 years - is
chronicled in a book titled "Documents on the History of the Greek
Jews", published recently in the English language by the
Kastaniotis Publishing House.
The 472-page book contains official documents and private
letters, discovered in some of the foreign ministry's archives,
and sheds light into one of Europe's least researched -but most
vibrant- Jewish communities. The book's 159 documents, dating
from 1903 to 1957, provide a glance into Thessaloniki's Jewish
community which once was known as the "Pearl of Israel" and home
to the Sephardic Jews who fled there from Spain following the
Inquisition in the 15th century.
While the Greek-language edition is expected in a couple of
months, the publishers believed that the English language version
serves a timely purpose since it coincides with the international
community's efforts to return property looted from the Jews during
WWII to the rightful owners.
The book also delves into the Greek community's efforts to
save and protect their Jewish neighbors from Nazi atrocities.
More than 90 percent of Greece's 80,000 or so Jews perished
in Nazi death camps and less than 5,000 remain today.
It should be stressed that Greece was the first European
country to return all the Jewish properties lost during the
Holocaust.
The book was researched and compiled by the Greek Foreign
Ministry's director of historical archives Fotini Tomai-
Konostantopoulou and professor Thanos Veremis.
[07] RECORD HIGH IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The general price index in the Athens Stock Exchange broke
the 2.900 limit and reached the highest level in terms of prices.
The Greek Stock Exchange follows the climate of euphoria that has
brought to the EU countries the adoption of the EURO.
The general price index closed at 2.921,28 increased by
6.71%, while the transactions were over 105 billion drachmas. The
drachma appears considerably strengthened in the Greek money
market toward the main foreign currencies, as the foreign
institutional investors have increased their capital in Greek
bonds.
Meanwhile, the EURO made an impressive first appearance in
the international money markets with considerable gains compared
to the main European national currencies.
[08] FOUR-PARTY EFFORT FOR THE FAIR SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS ISSUE
The Western Policy Center, one of the most known think-tanks
in the United States based in Sacramento, California,
characterized as brave the Cypriot government decision not to
deploy the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on Cyprus.
The center's executive director Mr. John Sitilidis stated
that the government of Cyprus should be praised for its brave
decision which will help in the easing of the tensions and will
bring back the emphasis on the island's demilitarization, the
withdrawal of all foreign armed forces and the denunciation of the
use of force for the solution of political and legal disputes.
Mr. Sitilidis also pointed out that the diplomatic initiative
should help in the efforts to build confidence in Turkey as well
as among the Turkish Cypriots which is an important step in a four-
party process in which will be included Ankara and Athens and will
be aimed at a fair and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.
[09] NATO'S MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IS IN THESSALONIKI
French soldiers with their updated military equipment arrived
at the port of Thessaloniki today on board a cargo vessel. Their
final destination is the city of Skopje in FYROM and are deployed
to the region within the framework of NATO's rapid intervention
force which has as its mission the protection of the international
observers sent in Kosovo to oversee the implementation of the
Milosevic-Halbrooke agreement.
The French soldiers will arrive in Skopje on board a C-130
transport plane that will depart from Thessaloniki's Macedonia
Airport, while a convoy will transport their equipment to the
neighboring country.
Another transport ship is expected to sail into the port of
Thessaloniki tomorrow bringing the last part of the French force.
[10] RAGOUTSARIA: THE AUTHENTIC GREEK CARNIVAL OPENS IN KASTORIA
ON THE DAY OF THE EPIPHANY
The centuries old traditional custom of the Greek carnival
will be revived in Kastoria, north-western Greece on the Day of
the Epiphany and the celebrations will last until January 8.
After the blessing of the waters by the Church, Santa Claus
will bring gifts to all the children who will gather to the city
squares, while people dressed in different costumes will dance
local traditional dances in the streets. The celebrations will
culminate on January 8 with a big parade at the main city street.
[11] ARSENIS: SCHOOLS WILL RE-OPEN ON FRIDAY
Minister of education Gerasimos Arsenis speculated in a press
conference he gave in Athens today that schools will re-open on
Friday as all the necessary preparations have been made.
Mr. Arsenis presented examples of the questions that will be
included in the June advancement exams in an effort to dissolve
the myth that those exams will be very hard. Referring to the
damage caused in many school buildings during the student sit-ins
held in protest to the education reforms promoted by him, the
government minister stated that certain of the school buildings
are in desperate condition and that a large quantity of drugs has
been found.
Mr. Arsenis also said that a coordinated effort is in
progress for the restoration of the damage aimed at the re-opening
of schools.
[12] POSITIVE CLIMATE IN THE MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT MINISTER
WITH THE OA PILOTS
The meeting of transport minister Tasos Mandelis with the
pilots of the state-run Olympic Airways, who are refusing to work
overtime, was held today in a positive climate.
In reality the pilots react to their additional taxation by a
2.5% which has been imposed on them in spite of the fact that
their wages were "frozen" a few months ago based on the reform
programme implemented on the state-run airline.
The pilots will also have a meeting with the Olympic Airways
executive adviser Theodoros Tsakiridis to reach an agreement for
the promotion of the second phase of the reform in the national
airline.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] "EURO" DEBUTS IN EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS TODAY
The European Union's common currency, the euro, is to make
its debut today in the continent stock markets, but everyone's
attention is focused on the Eastern and Australian markets where
its fate will be given a primary assessment. So far, the European
currency's parity against the dollar and yen has proven
profitable. The currency will be actually set into circulation on
January 1, 2002.
The Athens Stock Exchange is ready to receive the new
currency, according to ASE president Sp. Kouniakis. Meanwhile, the
dollar noted a downward trend on the last day of the year.
[14] CABINET RESHUFFLE IN CYPRUS TODAY
Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides is to proceed to a cabinet
reshuffle tomorrow after the ministers of Defense and Education(
members of the socialist EDEK party) withdrew from the
government. EDEK has argued against the deployment of the Russian-
made S-300 missiles to Crete as opposed to Cyprus.
President Clerides could also proceed to a wider reshuffle of
his cabinet members.
[15] GREEK MINOR OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER VISITS CYPRUS TODAY
The leader of Greece's minor opposition party Democratic
Social Movement (DIKKI) Dimitris Tsovolas is to visit the island
of Cyprus today where he will meet with the speaker of the House
and DIKO leader Spyros Kyprianou, the leader of EDEK Vasos
Lyssarides and the leader of "New Horizons" Nikos Koutsou.
Tomorrow, prior to his return to Greece, Mr. Tsovolas will
meet with other party leaders. He is accompanied by his party's
press spokesman and Political Secretariat member Manolis
Bakopoulos,
[16] THOUSANDS OF ALBANIANS WORKING IN GREECE GO HOME FOR HOLIDAYS
More than six thousand Albanian immigrants returned to Greece
on Sunday after spending the Christmas and New Year holidays in
Albania.
A police official at the Kakavija border crossing said that
the number of Albanians migrants returning to Greece would
increase in next days.
The number of those who came to Albania to celebrate holidays
has reached its peak in the last years.
According to reports, at least 40 thousand emigrants crossed
the Kakavija border point by December 30 in order to celebrate the
holidays with their relatives.
[17] ALBANIA:MORE MALE STUDENTS ENROLLED, BUT MORE FEMALES
GRADUATE
A census drawn by the Albanian Institute of Statistics,
INSTAT, has shown that males recorded the highest number of
persons enrolled in the country's schools.
Specifically, the study showed that 1.3 million men or 40
percent of the population had been enrolled in different schools
in Albania while the number of young women is 1.1 million or 34
percent.
In the eighth year and secondary schools the number of males
was higher than that of females, while in higher schools females
recorded a higher number than males. Even the number of females
graduating the faculties was higher than the males.
[18] US SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT MOSCOW ON JANUARY 25
United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is to
conduct an
official visit to Moscow on January 25-27, where she expects to
embark upon
long-delayed new strategic arms reduction talks.
A State Department statement announcing dates for the trip
said only that the purpose of the visit was "to advance the many
bilateral and multilateral issues that concern both our nations."
[19] BULGARIA: ACCIDENT PREVENTION PLAN ENFORCED AT KOZLODUI
A new accident prevention plan is being enforced at
Bulgaria's Kozlodui nuclear plant, which allows for technical and
organizational measures of rapid reaction in case of an emergency.
The plan's preparation is associated with the mission of an
international committee of nuclear energy, whose members are to
visit Kozlodui on January 11.
According to Bulgarian press reports, the plan foresees the
formation of a 45-member special task force which will be ready
within fifteen minutes from the location of the malfunction and
will take measures to prevent the spread of radiation.
[20] KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY CREATES NEWS AGENCY, RADIO STATION
The "Kosovo Liberation Army" has announced that it has
founded its own news agency, the "Kosova Press", and a radio
station, "Free Kosovo" which, it stated, will contribute to the
"struggle against the conquerors."
Moreover, the KLA announced that these two media outlets
constitute "free institutions of a free Kosovo" and stated its
determination to continue with its struggle until the final
victory.
Meanwhile, Albania media report that since the start of armed
conflict in the region of Kosovo, 1,920 Albanian civilians and 115
Serb policemen have lost their lives.
[21] TURKEY: EXTENDED PRE-ELECTION PERIOD, EREZ FORMS CABINET
TOMORROW
Turkey is entering an extended pre-election course this week
since, in accordance to the country's election law, all persons in
leading public service positions who want to run for office on
April 18 must resign from their posts, including the Ministers of
Justice and Public Order.
After a meeting held yesterday with the leader of the
Republican People's party Deniz Baykal, Yalim Erez is the main
contender to lead the Turkish Republic's56th government.
According to Turkish daily "Hurriyet", Mr. Baykal stated
that this cabinet must be formed "because Turkey needs it."
In turn, Mr. Erez is expected to present to Turkish President
Suleiman Demirel the list containing his cabinet members' names
tomorrow or Wednesday.
[22] EDEK'S TWO MINISTERS RESIGNED FROM THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT
Minister of defense Yiannakis Omirou and minister of
education and culture Likourgos Kappas, who belong to the party of
EDEK, submitted their resignations at noon today to Cypriot
president Glafkos Clerides.
Leaving the presidential building they made no statements.
Meanwhile, the Cypriot president is expected to announce the
reshuffle of his government.
[23] TORTURE IN TURKEY IS A DAILY PHENOMENON
Torture in the Turkish jails is a daily phenomenon, according
to a report by the organization "Journalists without borders".
The report refers to the persecution suffered by journalists
in Turkey and calls for freedom of the press and respect of basic
human rights in the neighboring country as well as, the release of
journalists who continue to be held in the Turkish jails.
At the same time, it points out that 19 journalists were
killed in different parts of the world during 1998, 487 were
arrested and 697 were threatened or suffered some kind of
violence. It is also underlined that 93 journalists are jailed
because they exercised their profession.
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